E-scooters have become increasingly popular in Florida as a convenient, fun, and affordable mode of transportation. We’ve all seen the Lime scooters on the side of the roads. While e-scooters are a great option for many people, especially in crowded downtown Orlando, they can also be extremely dangerous. They are extra dangerous when people take scooter rides at night or during other dangerous hours.
E-scooter riders often get hit by cars in intersections, crosswalks, and on the roads. These types of accidents are a growing concern in Orlando as more and more people use these devices as a mode of transportation, and it is important for e-scooter riders to be aware of the risks associated with e-scooters and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
In the event of an accident, you should seek medical attention. You should also consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights before the insurance adjusters start reaching out to you to get you to give them a recorded statement or sign documents. Your attorney can help you identify liable parties and hold these parties accountable for your medical damages, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you’ve been injured in an e-scooter accident with a car, truck, delivery van, or some other vehicle through no fault of your own, you may have a viable scooter accident injury claim. Additionally, there are several things you can do after an accident to protect your claim, and we can help you with that. At our law firm, we offer free legal consultations, and we’re happy to help you however we can. Just give us a call at (321) 352-7588 or contact us on our website to set up your free consult. Now, let’s talk about e-scooter liability in Florida.
Parties Potentially Liable for an E-Scooter Accident in Florida
If you are involved in an e-scooter accident, you may wonder who can be held liable for the damages and injuries you’ve sustained. Who will pay for all the medical bills and missed work? Below, we will discuss who can be held liable for an e-scooter accident in Florida.
The E-Scooter Rider
It’s not just drivers who can be held at fault for e-scooter accidents. The e-scooter rider may also be held liable for an accident if they are found to be negligent. Negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise reasonable care, which includes following traffic rules and regulations, paying attention to their surroundings, and using the e-scooter in a safe and reasonable manner. If the rider is found to be at fault for the accident, they may be responsible for the damages and injuries sustained by the other parties involved.
The Driver of a Vehicle
If an e-scooter rider is hit by a driver of a vehicle, the driver may be held liable for the accident if they are found to be negligent. This can include behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, failing to yield to the e-scooter rider, and other reckless actions. Often times, cars hit e-scooters at intersections and crosswalks. In Florida, drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving, which includes looking out for e-scooters on the road and in intersections.
The E-Scooter Rental Company
The e-scooter rental company may be held liable for an accident if they were negligent in their rental or maintenance of the e-scooter. This can include failing to properly maintain the e-scooter, failing to warn the rider of potential hazards, or providing inadequate safety instructions to the rider. In some cases, the rental company may also be held liable if they rented the e-scooter to a person who was intoxicated or underage.
The Local Government
The local government may be held liable for an accident if the accident was caused by a dangerous or poorly maintained roadway or sidewalk. This can include potholes, uneven pavement, inadequate lighting, and other road hazards. The government has a duty to maintain the roadways and sidewalks to a reasonably safe condition, and if they fail to do so, they may be held liable for any damages and injuries sustained as a result.
Manufacturers and Distributors
Manufacturers and distributors of e-scooters and related equipment may be held liable for an accident if the accident was caused by a defect or design flaw in the e-scooter or its components. This can include defective brakes, faulty batteries, or other defects that make the e-scooter unsafe to operate. Manufacturers and distributors have a duty to ensure that their products are safe and free from defects, and if they fail to do so, they may be held liable for any damages and injuries sustained.
Contact an Orlando E-Scooter Accident Lawyer for a FREE Legal Consultation
If you have been injured in a scooter accident as a result of the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of another party, you should speak with an experienced Florida e-scooter accident lawyer as soon as possible because you may be entitled to compensation. You can contact us online or you can call our Orlando, Florida law office at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your consultation.
Injured in a scooter accident in another state? In addition to Florida, we have at least one lawyer licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. If you need a South Carolina, Georgia, or North Carolina personal injury lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
